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Kanazawa

Friendship Through Art Exchange

Tour to commemorate 45th anniversary of sister city relationship between Buffalo, NY and Kanazawa, Japan and celebrating the opening of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery collection at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa.

map of Japan showing where Kanazawa is located Kanazawa is the oldest sister city of Buffalo and is one of the most culturally enriched places in Japan. The city was founded in the mid 16th century and has still been able to retain many of its traditions of culture and elegance that distinguished it for hundreds of years.

Today Kanazawa not only continues to preserve its past, but is also taking a lead in advancing modern culture by creating new trends in socio-cultural and economic aspects of Japanese society.

We Buffalonians are blessed by this long time relationship with Kanazawa as a sister city through our various exchanges in education, commerce and resources. To mark the 45th year of our relationship, a delegation from Buffalo is being sent to Kanazawa to celebrate this memorable occasion. There the delegation will attend the opening of a new exhibit at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art based on the Albright-Knox Art Gallery's collections. They will also have the oppotunity to meet with Kanazawa officials and experience much of the cultural traditions this city has to offer.

Below is a tentative itinerary of the delegation's tour. Fore more information on Kanazawa -- see Wikipedia's article and travel guide to the city.

Saturday July 29		Leave Buffalo

Sunday July 30		Arrive in Kanazawa (after crossing the international date line)

Monday July 31		Official visit with Mayor Yamade of Kanazawa at city hall. Tour "Kanazawa Citizens' Art Village", the site of artist studios and Kanazawa Craftsman College. Attend jam session with Junior Jazz Orchestra -- Jazz 21

Tuesday August 1		Opening ceremony of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery exhibit at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The ceremony will include a reception banquet and a performance by participating artists from Buffalo.

Wednesday August 2		Visit the Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theater museum Visit Kenrokuen Garden. Our own The Japanese Garden of Buffalo showcases a beautiful replica of the stone lantern from the Kenrokuen Gardens. Visit Kanazawa Castle Park Visit to Yuwaku School, the sister school of Buffalo Public Grammar School #71. There the delegation will enjoy a student performance of the Japanese Taiko drums. Also they will visit the public art sculpture "Jidai no Keisho" or "Generations in Time", a collaborative artwork between Buffalo artist, Neil Tetkowski and the people of Kanazawa, commissioned in 2002. Experience onsen, Japanese hot springs baths, at the Yuwaku Spa.

Thursday August 3		Observe how the kimono cloth is created and learn about silk industries at the Kimono Art factory and gallery. A tour and tasting at the Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery. Visit the Ohi Museum established by the founder of Ohi pottery, Chozaemon. Tour nearby "Old Site of Mr. Kurando Terashima's House", a memorial to an 18th century genius who was sent into exhile for his brilliant ideas. There will be a special tour of the facility and tea ceremony by potter and tea master, Mr. Toshio Ohi. Visit Kanazawa's famous historic Samurai and Geisha quarters

Friday August 4		Tour of the Ishikawa Ongakudo Concert Hall, home of the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa. The Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa is Japan's first multinational chamber orchestra, consisting of 40 musicians from all over the world. Visit to the newly built ultra-modern shopping arcade. Attend the farewell steak dinner banquet!

Saturday August 5		Leave Kanazawa and arrive back in Buffalo

Cost for trip is $3,800

For more information, please contact:
T.J. Michii, tour coordinator/President Buffalo-Kanazawa Sister City Committee
tjmichii@adelphia.net